Librarians are available at the Main Library reference (information) desk during open hours to provide assistance in person and on the telephone, and to guide patrons in the use of the Library's electronic, print and audiovisual resources. Resources include:
SCLS Reference Service for In-Depth Research
Questions requiring research materials unavailable in the Library's collection can be referred to the SCLC Reference Center. The service is available through the library's reference department, and not by direct calls from the public. Responses are received within one to two weeks. Contact the reference desk at (310) 318-0675, ext. 5, for details.
Holds
You can telephone the reference desk to request that any circulating item in the collection be placed on a 24-hour hold. The item will be kept at the circulation desk, ready for check out.
You can place holds on any item that is checked out through one of the online public access catalogs in the library or by clicking on "The Library Catalog" above. You can also request a hold at the reference desk. You will be notified by phone, or e-mail if you prefer, when the item is available. You will have ten days to pick it up. There is a $2.00 fee if the hold is canceled once staff has pulled the item to be held.
Suspend holds online
Patrons can now suspend their holds online. Log into your account and select "Review My Account". You can select the date you want the hold suspended and then select the date you want the hold reactivated. Your place in the hold queue will be protected.
Purchase suggestions: We welcome your suggestions concerning any books, periodicals, or audiovisual materials you would like to see added to the collection. If you have already searched our catalog and not found what you want, please submit your suggestion here. You can also fill out a "Suggested Purchase" form at the Reference Desk.
Books from Other Libraries
Books and magazine articles not in the collection may also be ordered through inter-library loan (or "ILL") at the reference desk. There is a $3.00 search fee for this service, which must be paid in advance. There may be additional fees charged at the lending library. We regret that audiovisual materials are not available through ILL.
Internet Classes
The Library offers one day Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Internet classes, free to the general public, on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. during the spring and fall months. The first class introduces patrons to the web browser, and then visits various useful and entertaining sites. The second class focuses on using search engines and directories to enhance web surfing skills, and the third class explores the library's subscription databases. Class participants are shown how they can access these databases from home or work.
The Spring, 2012 Schedule
Classes will be held on the Following Saturdays, 9-10:30 a.m.
